Tupper soccer downs M-W once again

Lumberjack forward Lindsey Maroun scored the lone goal in the game, finding the back of the net with 26 minutes, 46 seconds remaining in the first half.

The game was the second meeting between the two teams in just over a week. Tupper Lake won both games by a score of 1-0. However, this time coach Russ Bartlett and his players were much more satisfied with the result.

“We played them a week ago, won 1-0, but it’s not one of those wins you feel real good about,” Bartlett said. “You sort of get smiled on by the soccer gods every now and then, and that was one of those days. So, to play really well (today) and win 1-0 was really good. Something for them to be proud of.”

Junior Ryane O’Connor noticed a big difference, too, between the two games.

“Well, we definitely put in a lot more effort,” she said. “There was a lot more running to the ball. I think we just had our heart into this more.”

Bartlett said all aspects of the team contributed: forwards, midfielders, defenders and the goalie.

“The people that got five, six, seven minutes of time gave me exactly what they had to do during those five, six, seven minutes,” he said. “The kids that were in the game were positive and into the game. Everybody that was in the game gave everything they had.”

Both goalies played well in this game. Lumberjacks goalie Brooke Dewyea had nine saves, while Madrid’s freshman netminder Marlaina Bush picked up seven.

“Our keeper really grew up today,” Madrid coach Gary Tischler said. “Marlaina had a great game. Their goal was a quality shot. Our keeper stopped the penalty kick. Second half, I thought we carried the play overall. Just right now, we’re a little snake bitten. Tupper is a solid club.”

Tischler said his team has struggled to score goals on offense and is still learning to finish the play near the net. But he was happy with the team’s defense.

With the win, Tupper Lake improved to 4-4 while Madrid-Waddington fell to 2-5-1.

It’s been a strong start for the Lumberjacks, who are coming off a year when they graduated a lot of top players. So far, the senior leaders on this year’s Lumberjacks squad have stepped up and the younger players are developing quickly.